City Manager

Our purpose

The purpose of the Office of City Manager is to provide plans, controls, direction, and coordination to the activities and functions of all City departments, resources, personnel, capital and projects of the City on behalf of the City Council, employees of the City and the citizens of Huntsville so they can be informed, provide and receive needed services and enjoy a safe and productive place to live and work.
 

Description of our services

The City Manager exercises leadership in maintaining effective communication between the City Council, City employees, and the citizens of Huntsville. As the City’s Chief Executive Officer, the City Manager helps develop the City’s mission, implements policies, and oversees legislative processes. The City Manager also formulates, reviews, and submits the annual budget to the City Council for adoption. This office helps to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the Citizens of Huntsville by actively seeking economic and community development opportunities and by observing the City’s guiding principles. The City Manager also performs other duties as assigned by the City Council.
 

Biography

Mr. Gene Pipes was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1962 he discovered the beautiful campus of Sam Houston State Teachers College (later known as Sam Houston State University). It was there that Mr. Pipes met his lovely wife Cindy. They have had the pleasure of calling Huntsville their home for many of those wonderful years.

Mr. Gene Pipes began his Public Administration career in Lake Jackson, Texas while teaching in the Brazosport ISD. In 1974 he came back to Huntsville to begin his career with the City and complete the Kate Barr Ross Park baseball complex. He served as the Assistant City Manager in 1979, Acting City Manager in 1980 and in 1981 was officially appointed as the City Manager of Huntsville. Mr. Pipes retired from his post as City Manager in 2000. After retirement, Mr. Pipes accepted a position with Sam Houston Memorial Museum. In January, 2008 Mr. Pipes returned to the City as the Interim City Manager.

Mr. Pipes’ most notable accomplishment in his first term tenure was his role in the construction of the 67-foot statue of “Big Sam” that stands along the northbound side of IH-45 and the opening of the Visitor’s Center as the front door to Historic Huntsville.